Press Briefing
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Cho Tai-young
Apr. 22, 2014 14:30 KST


Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Today, I have one announcement to make.

The eleventh Policy Consultation between the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan will take place at the Foreign Ministry, Seoul, on April 24. The ROK and the Uzbek delegations will be led by the Foreign Ministry’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Lee Kyung-soo and Murad Askarov, Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of Asia-Pacific affairs, respectively.

In the meeting, the two sides will discuss ways to increase substantive cooperation between their two countries. The ROK side, in particular, expects the meeting to serve as an opportunity to give an impetus to Korean companies participating in large-scale projects in Uzbekistan.

Also on the agenda will be ways to promote cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two countries, including building a Seoul Park in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.

This is all for my opening statement.


[Q&A]

Q: On the occasion of the annual Spring Festival of the Yasukuni Shrine, a number of Cabinet members and politicians of Japan reportedly paid their tributes at the shrine today. What does the ROK government make of their actions?

A: The ROK government deplores that Japanese politician paid their respects at the shrine in disregard of the ROK government’s position, which had been made clear yesterday in the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s commentary. I am sure that they know what kind of facility the Yasukuni Shrine is. To reiterate, it is a place that enshrines war criminals who started wars against other countries and destroyed peace as well as a place that glorifies Japan’s war of aggression.

It seems nonsensical for them to talk about the future to their neighboring countries while paying tributes at such place. It is something that has been reiterated on uncountable occasions by not only the ROK but also other countries in Northeast Asia and the rest of the international community. We once again urge Japan to keep its ear and mind open and pay heed to this.

Q: At its briefing today, the Ministry of National Defense mentioned that it put its readiness posture in place, as North Korea is showing signs of an imminent nuclear test. What information does the Foreign Ministry have in this regard? What measures does it have to take in terms of this readiness posture?

A: As I understand it, there is no information for the Foreign Ministry to add to what the Defense Ministry said in its briefing. The Foreign Ministry shares such information with relevant government agencies whenever necessary. Furthermore, it closely monitors developments in North Korea in close cooperation with countries concerned. To my understanding, it is the assessment of the ROK government that North Korea stands ready to carry out a further nuclear test when it makes a political decision to do so. The ROK government, with all sorts of possibilities in mind, is making thorough preparations.

In addition, the ROK government continues making diplomatic efforts to deter any further provocations from North Korea. Just some time ago, on March 25, there was an ROK-US-Japan summit, followed by an ROK-US-Japan meeting of head delegates to the Six-Party Talks. Through such meetings, the ROK government has sought close cooperation with the US and other friends to deter North Korean provocations.

The ROK government also held with China a summit in March, a telephone conversation between the Foreign Ministers on April 9, a Prime Ministers’ meeting on April 10 and a meeting of head delegates to the Six-Party Talks on April 11. Through these meetings at various levels, the ROK government stepped up cooperation and communication with China for the latter to play an active role in deterring North Korea from conducting provocations.

On April 14, there was a MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where a joint communique was adopted to urge North Korea to stop provocations. On the occasion of various other bilateral, trilateral and multilateral diplomatic events, including the recent ROK-Australia summit and at the UN, efforts continue to send to North Korea a consistent warning message from the international community.

Q: At your previous press briefing, you mentioned that the Foreign Ministry notified the death of three foreigners in the sinking of the ferry “Sewol” to embassies of their countries in the ROK. Is there anything else you can share with us in that regard?

A: According to the information the Foreign Ministry has gathered from relevant government agencies, among the foreign victims, the two Philippinos have been safely rescued. Out of the four Chinese who went missing, two have been confirmed dead. Of the other two, one Chinese assumed to have boarded the ferry and the other whose name was on the passenger list remain missing.

As for the foreign student at Danwon High School, he holds dual citizenship as a naturalized Korean and a Russian. It is my understanding that he was confirmed dead today as well.

The Foreign Ministry relayed this information to the embassies of their countries as soon as it obtained it. The Ministry is also extending cooperation as necessary. Should the families of the dead Chinese wish to come to the ROK, the Foreign Ministry will do everything it can to cooperate, including issuing visas for them in an expedient manner.

Q: With regard to the upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama to the ROK, have there been any changes to his schedule? Has anything been added to it?

A: I understand that an announcement has already been made with regard to his schedule. I have not heard that there are additions to it.

Q: I have a related question. Is there any consultation under way between the ROK and the US with regard to the possibility of President Obama allocating part of his time here to Sewol-related matters?

A: To my understanding, the US government plans to take the opportunity of President Obama’s visit to the ROK to offer consolation to the ROK people, who are deeply saddened by the sinking of the Sewol. I believe this is taken into account in arranging his schedule here. As for his detailed schedule, I believe it will be disclosed at an appropriate time.

I will conclude today’s briefing. Thank you.


* unofficial translation